FAQs About Mad Cow Disease

Forward arrow iconAn arrowing pointing forward, usually indicating forward movement, or the ability the share something via social media.Close iconAn icon showing an uppercase letter "X", indicating that this will close the current element.Share

Forward arrow iconAn arrowing pointing forward, usually indicating forward movement, or the ability the share something via social media.Close iconAn icon showing an uppercase letter "X", indicating that this will close the current element.Share

1. Why have donor restrictions been placed on individuals who have spent five years or more in Europe between 1980 and the present?

In some parts of the world, a fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease has infected cattle. In these locations, primarily in parts of Europe, people have been diagnosed with a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD), which is also a fatal brain disease. It is theorized that vCJD is a form of Mad Cow Disease that has been transferred to humans by eating infected beef. While there have not been any documented cases of vCJD being transmitted by blood transfusions, the Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency that regulates blood collection in the United States, has recently placed restrictions on whether an individual may donate blood based on how much time they have spent in countries where cows have been affected by Mad Cow Disease. The restrictions are based on a theoretical risk of transmitting vCJD by a blood transfusion.

3. Have there been any cases of vCJD identified in the United States?

4. If I have traveled to a country with Mad Cow Disease what are my chances of being infected with vCJD?

Extremely small, if any. As noted above, there have been very few cases identified so far. However, since there is a delay of years until an individual shows signs of the disease, no one can say for sure whether someone is infected.